CBE’s new rabbi to continue social action focus at one of Park Slope’s largest shuls.

02/09/2015 - 19:00

JTA

One of the top agenda items these days for Rachel Timoner, associate rabbi at the Leo Baeck Temple in Los Angeles, is trying to get a train built along the I-405 freeway stretching from the North San Fernando Valley to the city’s international airport.

Andy Bachman's last High Holy Days message will chasten progressives who oversimplify Middle East.

09/02/2014 - 20:00

Gary Rosenblatt

Editor and Publisher

When I asked Rabbi Andy Bachman what he plans to speak about in his sermons during this, his last, Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur services as senior rabbi of Congregation Beth Elohim, I thought he would bring up the importance of closing the gap between the wealthy and the needy in this country.

Rabbi Andy Bachman, a prominent figure in New York's Jewish community who has served as a Hillel director, pulpit rabbi and founder of a neighborhood Jewish organization, announced this week that he will next year leave his congregation and Jewish communal leadership altogether.

Ever wondered what would happen if you take dozens of hyper-literate Jews and give them a microphone and five minutes on a stage to riff on the weekly Torah portion? Look no further than SermonSlam, a succinctly self-described “poetry slam, but for sermons,” which will be making its New York debut at Congregation Beth Elohim in Park Slope on Thursday night, January 22.

Rabbi Shira Koch Epstein, who has served for seven years as director of youth and family education at Congregation Beth Elohim in Brooklyn’s Park Slope neighborhood, was named executive director of the 14th Street Y in Manhattan. She succeeds Steven Aranoff, who moved to Israel in August; Wendy Seligson has served as interim executive director since then.

Thank you to everyone who has volunteered or donated money and supplies to help those affected by Hurricane Sandy. Across the region, many still need help. Here's a guide to opportunities to volunteer and donate.

11/01/2012 - 20:00

Natalie Storey

After the surge of media attention that comes with a storm, the less dramatic work of rebuilding begins. We will continually update this list of opportunities to donate and volunteer in the service of Hurricane Sandy victims.